It’s a such a shame when so many other Highlights Of The BAFTA’s 2026 touched me.
What was an incredible show, the best since 2020 and yet all that was missed mired instead in unnecessary controversy about one racial slur from a guest with Tourette’s. John Davidson has Tourettes, isn’t that the point of making the movie I swear. To bring about understanding and compassion for the sufferers. It’s actually a bit of a joke that the words of all the speech makers at the show didn’t match up with the message forgiveness and tolerance when it comes to the baying media as a whole. (And the audience members at the BAFTA’s who frankly should know better regardless of skin colour.)
Actors Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time announcing the award for Best Visual Effects at the start of the show when Tourette sufferer and subject of the movie I swear John Davidson shouted the N word from the audience. The actors shocked, of course, carried on in true Hollywood style. Alan Cummings apologised during the show. Both the BBC and BAFTA have since apologised for how the incident, (which I didn’t even notice) was handled and for not editing out the slur despite the time delay in the broadcast. It was lame considering they managed to edit out the Free Palestine bit of Akinola Davies Jr.’s speech, director of My Fathers Shadow but hey that’s the BBC, political, not always fair and picks and chooses. It’s a tough one and could have been handled with more sensitivity although Jamie Foxx’s comment on Instagram fanning the flames with a comment like “he meant that shit” doesn’t help either. He should know better.
Davidson, who left the show early when he realised his involuntary tics were causing distress made clear it was an involuntary symptom of his neurological condition, expressed sincere regret that it caused harm or was misinterpreted, and emphasised that it did not reflect his beliefs or intentions in any way.
He said he was “deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning.” He stressed that his outbursts, including the offensive word, were involuntary vocal tics caused by his Tourette syndrome, and not a reflection of his personal beliefs.
It’s a shame the media told only one story, afterwards, the controversial one; without empathy for John Davidson (it’s the Elephant Man all over again 150 years later) or Black people or people of colour around the world about a show that supposedly celebrated difference in all its forms. I’m with the Lady, Lakshmipriya Devi, the director of the Manipuri-language film Boong, who spoke about compassion and suffering in her home in India and around the world.
I will try and give you all a more broader picture of the whole experience.
Aside from this: What a show full of laughter led by the irrepressible impresario Alan Cummings.
An impresario is described as someone who organizes, presents, or curates entertainment — often shaping creative projects behind the scenes as well as performing in them.
Cumming is not just an actor, host, and comedian; he has also produced and developed stage projects, curated cabaret and solo shows
Hosted and shaped television formats namely The Traitors US) and been deeply involved in theatre production, including work associated with venues club cumming. I am a fan.
His costume changes throughout the BAFTAs, prior to the award for best costumes and his hilarious snack hand outs, to mainly the high profile American guests not only makes Impressario defensible but an even stylish — description.
For me he was the perfect host, the funniest show since Rebel Wilson hosted in 2020, side splitting but perhaps the gags a little too risky for the Brits. 2023 we saw Richard E Grant assisted by Alison Hammond and when we thought it couldn’t get any worse Dr who’s David Tennant took the reigns for the following two years. Alan Cummings was hilarious, considered and compassionate in equal measure and produced the best show in some years for me.
It was good to see William and Kate back at the BAFTAs together, 2020 they attended together and 2023 but Kate hasn’t been seen on the red carpet since then. William attended alone, 2024 and 2025. Also fantastic to see her rewearing a Gucci gown she wore at the 100 Women in Finance gala dinner at the Victoria and Albert Museum in February of 2019. Twice in 7 years I know, not the best sustainability credibility and cost per wear but hey, it wasn’t new.
As usual the show highlighted about 10 films, 6 or 7 fought it out for the BAFTA it most categories. Best Director and best film, the big award, last of the night went to One Battle After Another winner Paul Thomas Anderson with numerous posthumous mentions going to Assistant director and producer Adam Somner who died November 2024 after working on the film for 11 months of production.
the acting talent in the film Leonardo Di Caprio, Sean Penn, Chase Infiniti, Teyana Taylor and Benecio del Toro were all nominated in their appropriate categories. The only winner Sean Penn for best supporting who wasn’t actually there, Gillian Anderson accepted on his behalf.
Robert Aramayo pipped Leonardo Di Caprio, to best leading man for I swear, he also scooped the EE rising star award, Jessie Buckley for Agnes Hathaway in Hamnet beat out Teyana Taylor for leading lady, and Sinners scooped the BAFTA’s for best supporting actress and original screenplay Wunmi Mosako and Ryan Cooglar.
The hair and make up BAFTA’s put Frankenstein on the map but everyone else, big names Emma Stone, Kate Hudson, Timothee Chalamet, Rose Byrne, Hugh Jackman, Carey Mulligan, Ethan Hawke and Michael B. Jordan all had to be happy with a nomination.
Dame Donna Langley scooped the coveted BAFTA Fellowship award presented by Prince William BAFTA President since 2010 for her work as the Chief Content Officer at NBC Universal in the USA. The tributes and congratulations were numerous but none so hilarious than Dame Emma Thompson in her kitchen with no make up on looking like Boris Johnson, her words not mine. Dame Langley’s acceptance speech was powerful and filled me with hope for change with women like her in decision making roles at the highest levels of the film industry. Her speech centred around being different and remembering all the people who opened doors along the way for her and why it’s so important to continue doing the same for others.
The saddest part of the show was as usual In Memory of which began with Diane Keaton and ended with Robert Redford with more talent in the middle than I think I’ve ever seen die in one year. The moving segment was crafted to a beautiful original version of “The Way we were” performed by Jessie Ware. It was pure magic.
K Pop demon hunters performed their hit single Golden mid show which if you haven’t heard the track download it immediately. It was a fabulous electric performance celebrating diversity, creativity and pure talent. The embodiment of the BAFTA’s ceremony and all the organisation stands for.
Despite being a massive lover of watching movies, why I watch the show, I usually think blah, another us and them big money production except this year I found myself actually being not just entertained but educated and inspired too.
It wasn’t the same old, same old winners which was refreshing and it seems like this year we are actually celebrating some pretty fantastic films worth going to see which doesn’t make you feel so bad about the marketing if the motive to get bums on seats in the movie theatres is pure and when you get there it’s actually to watch a blinking good film.
The films on my list to watch are;
My fathers shadow
Pillion
Bugonia
Sinners
sentimental value
One battle after another
Marty supreme
Hamnet
Frankenstein
And I swear
Thanks Unsplash for Alessia C_jpg image